How to best manage a large photo library

When our family became Mac users in 2008, it was suggested by apple support to create separate iPhoto libaries for each year due to the size of our photo library. So we did this and also purchased the iPhoto Library Manager application to keep everything straight. Now that some time has passed and advancements have been made in the Mac applications (I saw the new Photos came out 4.10.15), I was wondering if this still was necessary. We are now approaching a combined photo library of 350g. Suggestions???

My 2 cents: it was never necessary. And iPhoto 11 library is good for 1,000,000 items. I'm not sure what suggestions you are looking for.

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How do you backup a large photo library?

My photos library hits 14,000 this month, what's the best way to backup? I have a 250GB Lacie D2 external drive and dvd for my routine backup. I don't want to back up the same old picture every month, know what I mean? Please share you idea..... thanks Alex

Use a back up utility that will do incremental back ups - Chronosync or DejaVu are two - but there are many others: search on MacUpdate
Regards
TD

Yosemite, iPhoto 9.6 upgrade, large photo library is not recognised.

iMac 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (Early 2009) with 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 Ram, 1 TB HD.
Just installed OS X Yosemite and iPhoto 9.6. I didn't run iPhoto immediately after instal, but my wife did while I was gone. She told me later that iPhoto didn't work and that when she clicked iPhoto, it asked to fix the permissions and after a bit iPhoto became unresponsive so she shut down the computer.
When I opened it, it asked to upgrade the library to work with the new version of iPhoto. Clicked ok and let it run...it did not last more than 5 minutes. When trying to open iPhoto now, it pauses for a second, then it displays the initial first time use splash screen (yellow sticky that says how to add photos to iPhoto).
The photo library in the finder shows it to be 230GB which is about the size I remember it to be. Showing the package contents I can see all of the photos in the "old masters" folder.
I have tried the following:
- Re-boot
- Repairing disk permissions (from recovery mode)
- Reset PRAM
- deleted and re-installed iPhoto
- Utilised all the options in the iPhoto Library First Aid (all take about 1 second to complete)
- Ran iPhoto Library Manager to rebuild photo library (took under a minute)
I have another copy of the library in another folder as well as an online backup (but all have been updated with the problem library so I don't think that will help much). As we speak, I am doing a local backup of the photos to an external drive just in case something further were to happen or I need to do a clean instal (don't think I can wait to have all of that download from the online backup).
So if anyone can help me it would be greatly appreciated.
1. Is there anything else I can do to save the database before having to just pull all of the photos out of the library and losing all of the metadata?
2. If thats all there is to do, what is easiest and best way to do manually or automate this...and to retain as much of the metadata as possible?

file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/AlbumData.xml
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Apple%20TV%20Photo%20Cache/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Attachments/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Auto%20Import/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Backup/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Before%20Restore/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/com.apple.iPhoto.plist
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Contents/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Data/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Data.noindex/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Database/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/iLifeShared/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Info.plist
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/iPhoto%20Selection/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/iPhotoAux.db
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/iPhotoAux.db.bak
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/iPhotoLock.data
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/iPhotoMain.db
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/iPhotoMain.db.bak
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/iPod%20Photo%20Cache/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Library.data
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Library.iPhoto
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Library6.iPhoto
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Masters/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Modified/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Old%20Masters/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Old%20Previews/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Old%20Thumbnails/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Originals/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Previews/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/ProjectCache/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/ProjectDBVersion.plist
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Projects.db
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Recovered%20Photos/
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/ThemeCache
file:///Users/Shared/iPhoto%20Library/Thumbnails/

Managing a large iphoto library

There's plenty of discussion on this topic but im not sure there is a clear winner on the best way to manage a large iphoto library stored on an external hard drive across a MacBook Air and an ipad. Ideally I want to have all my photos on the ipad for viewing and sharing, reduced file size is fine, and be able to sync with my latest photos that are to be uploaded on the mac book air.
I have aperture, and currently have my library split so old photos are on the external drive and newest ones on the macbook air. This gets around the fact i cant fit my full library on the air However, this means I can't sync with the ipad without erasing the older photos not currently in the MacBook Air.
One idea I read about was to store the originals on the harddrive and only thumbnails on the MacBook Air allowing all photos to be stored in a sync-able library. However I'm worried that splitting out the originals will mess with the library.
Any suggestions much appreciated

One idea I read about was to store the originals on the harddrive and only thumbnails on the MacBook Air allowing all photos to be stored in a sync-able library. However I'm worried that splitting out the originals will mess with the library.
I have no idea where you read this but it is not possible with iPhoto - it is with Aperature
generally the best idea for iPhoto is to keep interesting and recent photos on your MBA and the complete library on an EHD using iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - to manage the libraries and move photos as needed
as to the iPad - best to ask in the iPad forum - you can not "share" an iPhoto library with an iPad - you can only share selected photos from the library - I would think you would do this from the complete library on the EHD
LN

My iphone storage is full due to my large photo library. As I want to go on taking more photos, if I back up my phone to icloud, can I then delete all my photos from my iphone to make room for new photos?

My iphone storage is full due to my large photo library. As I want to go on taking more photos, if I back up my phone to icloud, can I then delete all my photos from my iphone to make room for new photos? Or will the next time I back up lose all those previously backed up as it is a 'new' set of data?
I just want to find the easiest and safest way of not losing all my photos while being able to take more than my iPhones storage worth as it is already full - can someone help me please? I thought icloud was the solution to not uploading my photos to the mac but I'm not sure if the way it's going is working and don't want to delete photos or lose my phone and then find out what I'm doing isn't actually storing my photos permanently. Thanks

Hey EmilyEliza,
As you are clearly aware, it is important for you to have backups of your important data, including all of these photos you are currently keeping on your iPhone. While it is possible to use iTunes or iCloud to do backups of your iPhone, the problem becomes how to access those backups if you have deleted the photos from your iPhone. Once you have done the backup and then removed the photos from the iPhone, the only way to access the photos is by restoring the backups to the phone. See this article for information about backups made from the iPhone -
Back up and restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using iCloud or iTunes - Apple Support
If you want to easily access the photos once they are off of the iPhone, another approach to this would be to import your photos from the iPhone into an application on your Mac, such as iPhoto. To learn how to do this, use the steps in this article -
Import photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your Mac or Windows PC - Apple Support
Once those photos are on your computer, it is still important to back up those photos to somewhere else, so you can be sure of their safety before removing them from the iPhone. Your Mac’s Time Machine application is one method of doing this -
Mac Basics: Time Machine backs up your Mac - Apple Support
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Happy computing,
Brett L

How do I get my existing photo library from iPhoto to Photoshop?

How do I get my existing photo library from iPhoto to Photoshop?

Hello MWWWB,
Unlike iPhoto, Photoshop is only an editor. It does not store or organize images. In iPhoto preferences, you can choose Photoshop as an editor. You will then get a choice when you double click on an iPhoto thumbnail to use iPhoto or Photoshop to make edits. But Photoshop does not have a library to store images like iPhoto.
You may want to use Adobe Bridge or Lightroom to help name and organize your pictures. You can Export your iPhoto Library to a folder and manage the exported images there.
Personally, I hate the arcane manner iPhoto stores and organizes images. I use it only for photos from my iPhone.

The memory on my MAC is full. It holds 4GB of RAM of which 79GB are photos. I would like to back up my photos to an external drive but just don not know how. I do not wish to use time machine. How do I back up my photo library, then delete the them t

The memory on my MAC is full. It holds 4GB of RAM of which 79GB are photos. I would like to back up my photos to an external drive but just do not know how. I do not wish to use time machine. How do I back up my photo library, then delete them from my MAC to free up that 79GB? Thank you.

Hi
Just to clarify a couple of points in your post.
RAM (memory) is different from hard drive space. You have 4GB of RAM, but that has no bearing on the amount of drive space you have, of which we know that 79GB are photos.
If those photos are in iPhoto, you should be able to move the entire iPhoto Library, from the Pictures folder, to your external hard drive. You can just drag and drop. Do not have iPhoto open while you're doing this. Once it's done, you can double-click on the moved iPhoto Library file to associate it with iPhoto, so that the app remembers where the library is for next time.
One more thing. When you move a file to a different location, and then delete the original, you don't have a backup. You still only have one copy. So if that external drive dies, you will lose all your photos. Time Machine is a very good way to prevent this from happening. You should dedicate a different drive for Time Machine backups.
Matt

How to make more albums in photo library?

How to make more albums in photo library?

If you do not have iOS 5, you have to use subfolders in your one photo syncing folder. You can have one level of folders in the syncing folder and each folder is an album.
With iOS 5 you can create albums in the Photo app.

How to delete duplicate pictures from Photo Library

How to delete duplicate pictures from Photo Library in iPhone 3G 16 giga?

The only way to delete photos from the photo library is by the same way the photos were transferred to your iPhone - via the iTunes sync process.
Are you saying a photo or all photos transferred to your iPhone via the iTunes sync process are duplicated in your iPhone's Photo Library without being duplicated in the folder on your computer where these photos are stored?

How can I move my iPhone photo library to my MacBook?

How can I move my iPhone photo library to my MacBook? My MacBook had to have a new hard drive installed and I have my wedding pictures on my iPhone library, but not anywhere else. I tried selecting them and sharing or moving them. There are 465 pictures.

Restore your backup
LN

HT201317 How can i delete the complete Photo Library?

How can i delete the complete Photo Library, as i can delete from the camera roll, but there dosent seem to be an obvious way to completely delete the Photo Library or items in the library either? There is no delete option like for the user generated albums...
I have tried deleting from the Camera Storage in the Settings menu, the delete appears but when pressed nothing happens.

I'm sorry but the way you worded the question I thought you were referring to iPhoto's library on the computer. I don't use an iPhone or the iPhoto app, so I can't answer your question in that regard.
Since you already marked the topic as solved when it was not, I recommend you re-post your topic. Just use a different topic title such as, "Help with iPhoto app on iPhone 5."

How do I transfer pictures from Photo library to iPhoto library?

How do I transfer pictures from Photo library to iPhoto library?

You do not export to IPhoto - you export to the desktop and then import from there into iPhoto - then delete form the desktop
two separate steps
[1] Export from Photos and [2] import into iPhoto
LN

HT204478 How do I migrate? My Photos library is empty after upgrade.

How do I migrate? My Photos library is empty after upgrade.

I read here that I need to start while holding Option Key to select my iPhoto library. Seems to be "Preparing Library"
photos won't import from iPhoto to photos app

IPhoto and multiple users - how to best manage photos across multiple users

I'm trying to fiure out the best way to setup photo storage on my new iMac. I've been a mac user for many years but never used iPhoto, just managed the photos in the finder and dated the folder/events. I use Photoshop and other image editing apps from time to time too.
My biggest difficulty I'm running into is both my wife an I take a lot of pictures on our phones. We'd like to be able to access them equally but since we are set up as two diffenent users, I don't know the best way to download and access them.
Can anyone advise me if this is a good setup, or would ven work?
Move managed library to shared folder on mac so two users can access library?
will that cause problems?
can both users add photos from their iPhones via iPhoto on their respective accounts and have the new photos show up on the other users iPhoto app?
would the newly added photos sharing be automaticall be set to the folder sharing settings? ie, view and edit for both users?
This brings up other questions:
if i edit the photos with say photoshop, will the changes show up in iphoto?
would timemachine back the data up automatically?
when I upgrade to a new computer will everything work the same.
I'm sure I've missed something important so any advice would be great.
Thanks!

Many people using the Shared Folder find that they have permissions issues which mean that they 'other' user can't see some part of the Library. Therefore, if you want to share the Library in that way it's best moved to an external disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and set to ignore ownership and permissions.
can both users add photos from their iPhones via iPhoto on their respective accounts and have the new photos show up on the other users iPhoto app?
Yes.
would the newly added photos sharing be automaticall be set to the folder sharing settings? ie, view and edit for both users?
Yes.
if i edit the photos with say photoshop, will the changes show up in iphoto?
If you set this up corrrectly - You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.
You will need to do this in both accounts.
would timemachine back the data up automatically?
TM can be set to back up externals. There are other options too, of course.
when I upgrade to a new computer will everything work the same.
Yes. Just plug in the extenal and point iPhoto at the external from the new machine.
Regards
TD

How do I import a large iPhoto library into an iMac running Yosemite without losing the existing division of the library into albums?which file do I look for on the older Mac, running Snow Leopard?

Import of library

You don't import one library into another. Simply copy the library from the older Mac to the Pictures folder on iMac. If you already have a library on the iMac rename it first.
Next launch iPhoto on the new iMac with the Option key held down and select the newly copied library.
If you have photos in the original library on the iMac you can merge that library into the larger, copied library with the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager. Or if you also have Aperture 3.3 you can use it to merge the two libraries.

How to best manage a large photo library

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